Page 6 - Jupiter West - April '22
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Page 6, Jupiter West
2022 Connections Gala ‘Hearts & Hands’
… An Evening Under The Stars
Raised Over $350,000 To Help A special part of the evening’s program
recognized outstanding members of the
Students With Autism And community who graciously give of their
time, talents, and treasures to benefit the
Related Disabilities families of Connections. The Champion
of Children Award was given to three
Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches remarkable honorees. The community
hosted its annual fundraising event “Hearts & Hands” … members that received this award
An Evening Under the Stars, on Feb. 12, at the National included Brenda and Chuck McGarrity
Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. This gala celebrated the and corporate sponsor Pediatric Partners.
students at Connections and raised over $350,000 to continue Connections’ Director of Operations
to provide the highest quality programs to individuals with Jason Portman received the Everyday
autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities. Hero award.
Honorary Cochairs of the successful event were Guests of the evening enjoyed
Carol Kaufman, Laura Pope, and Paola Herrera. Michael cocktails, music and magician Karl
Williams, news anchor at WPTV News Channel 5, served Koppertop who entertained throughout
as master of ceremonies and shared with guests the the night. Those in attendance also had
meaningful work Connections is doing for the lives of so the chance to participate in the silent and Michael Kaufman, Mikayla Matterazzo, Jason Portman, Zachary Edenzon, Alexa
many families in our community. live auction. Apicella, and Zachary Mortman
Sponsors included: The Pope Family,
Koppelman Family Foundation, First Republic Bank, Daniel Beaches. All the generous donations will help with the
and Angela Japha, the Joe and Pasena Maroun Family many programs and services we provide to our students and
Foundation Trust, Henderson Insurance, Padula Bennardo families. With only 70 percent of education costs provided
Levine, LLP and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. through state and federal sources, we rely on our charitable
“We are so grateful to everyone who attended and friends to fund the gap.”
supported our special event,” said Debra Johnson, CEO/
Principal of Connections Education Center of the Palm 2022 Connections Gala on page 7
ON T H E HOR I Z ON
Lighthouse Sunset Tour
Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27
Paola Herrera, Laura Pope and Carol Kaufman Where History Lighthouse Moonrise Tour
Apr. 16
Meets Adventure! Twilight Yoga at the Light
Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25
Lighthouse Story Time
& Crafts for Kids
Apr. 16
Wild & Scenic
Film Festival
Saturday, April 9
Tickets on sale at
jupiterlighthouse.org
Nancy DiPierro and David Drs. Sheldon Regenbaum and
Kunik Caron Sanua-Regenbaum jupiterlighthouse.org 561-747-8380 This activity is conducted under
permit from the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) and occurs
all or in part on public lands
500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter administered by the BLM within
the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area.
Robert Cruz, Paola Herrera Frankie and Irwin Edenzon